I Am Not a Costume!

[christiangirl]

Originally Posted by ASTalumna06

Look, I'm proud of my boobs, and while I think my ass could be slightly better than it is, I think it's pretty damn hot, especially in a cute pair of jeans. But I'm not going to show everything off to the world. I like the idea that when a guy talks to me, it's not because my chest is difficult to stop staring at, or because he thinks he can easily feel me up in the elevator.

Things that just crossed my mind?
1. Why does showing pride in your boobs have to automatically equal showing everything to the world? There's nothing in the middle (whether women choose to hit the middle or swing a wide left is another thing)? Would a man not try to get a peek at your boobs if you were wearing a blazer or turtleneck?

2. Why would he assume he can feel you up just because your shirt fits a certain way? When did a neckline become an invitation in this world?

I don't expect an answer to these questions nor am I trying to argue a point. These are just what pop into my mind when I read things like that. These are pretty common assumptions and this thread has gotten me wondering how on earth they got started.

Oh and 3: Phil, I totally stole your thread.

[southernbelle14]

Originally Posted by christiangirl

Things that just crossed my mind?
1. Why does showing pride in your boobs have to automatically equal showing everything to the world? There's nothing in the middle (whether women choose to hit the middle or swing a wide left is another thing)? Would a man not try to get a peek at your boobs if you were wearing a blazer or turtleneck?

2. Why would he assume he can feel you up just because your shirt fits a certain way? When did a neckline become an invitation in this world?

I don't expect an answer to these questions nor am I trying to argue a point. These are just what pop into my mind when I read things like that. These are pretty common assumptions and this thread has gotten me wondering how on earth they got started.

Oh and 3: Phil, I totally stole your thread.

I agree with everything you've said on this topic.

[ASTalumna06]

Originally Posted by christiangirl

Things that just crossed my mind?
1. Why does showing pride in your boobs have to automatically equal showing everything to the world? There's nothing in the middle (whether women choose to hit the middle or swing a wide left is another thing)? Would a man not try to get a peek at your boobs if you were wearing a blazer or turtleneck?

2. Why would he assume he can feel you up just because your shirt fits a certain way? When did a neckline become an invitation in this world?

I don't expect an answer to these questions nor am I trying to argue a point. These are just what pop into my mind when I read things like that. These are pretty common assumptions and this thread has gotten me wondering how on earth they got started.

Because men are men?

Here's a question back at you (again, it doesn't need to be answered), but let's take men out of the equation for a second... Let's say you're at a recruitment event, and a girl who's proud of her boobs and ass and only wants to show the world how proud she is, comes walking into your house in a low-cut shirt and a shorter-than-short skirt. What is your first impression of her?

The girl might not be asking for stares, ridicule, and a night alone when bids are being handed out, but she's opening herself up to it. Class, ladies.. learn it.

[southernbelle14]

Originally Posted by ASTalumna06

Because men are men?

Here's a question back at you (again, it doesn't need to be answered), but let's take men out of the equation for a second... Let's say you're at a recruitment event, and a girl who's proud of her boobs and ass and only wants to show the world how proud she is, comes walking into your house in a low-cut shirt and a shorter-than-short skirt. What is your first impression of her?

The girl might not be asking for stares, ridicule, and a night alone when bids are being handed out, but she's opening herself up to it. Class, ladies.. learn it.

Isn't this thread about halloween costumes? Big difference between dressing "slutty" for halloween and for recruitment.

[ASTalumna06]

Originally Posted by southernbelle14

Isn't this thread about halloween costumes? Big difference between dressing "slutty" for halloween and for recruitment.

christiangirl's question wasn't related to Halloween (as far as I could tell). The point is, why is ANYTHING an "invitation" based on what people wear. An invitation to judge, to make fun of, to touch, to stare, to whatever. Because.. that's what certain outfits say in some cases. Is it right? Maybe not. But it happens. It's life. Welcome to it.

[southernbelle14]

Originally Posted by ASTalumna06

christiangirl's question wasn't related to Halloween (as far as I could tell). The point is, why is ANYTHING an "invitation" based on what people wear. An invitation to judge, to make fun of, to touch, to stare, to whatever. Because.. that's what certain outfits say in some cases. Is it right? Maybe not. But it happens. It's life. Welcome to it.

Oh, I took it as being mainly about halloween, but that makes more sense.

[christiangirl]

I was having a hard time figuring out what was wrong with the costume because I didn't realize they were costumes. I did briefly wonder why he was grabbing onto that pregnant woman's butt, though. I'm there now.

Originally Posted by ASTalumna06

Here's a question back at you (again, it doesn't need to be answered), but let's take men out of the equation for a second... Let's say you're at a recruitment event, and a girl who's proud of her boobs and ass and only wants to show the world how proud she is, comes walking into your house in a low-cut shirt and a shorter-than-short skirt. What is your first impression of her?

I had to think about that one for a long time...I think she would need the "there's a time for everything" speech. The outfit in my head would likely not get a second glance from me if I knew she were out on the town for ladies' night or coming from a party but recruitment? I wouldn't be formulating thoughts on her based on what she was wearing (that she's loose or whatever), but my first impression would be that she lacks good judgement if she's wearing that to recruitment (or a job interview or a formal) where the situation calls for modest dress no matter what message you might like to send. There was a girl (bless her heart) who used to dress like this at work--short shorts and tops that left nothing to the imagination. Looking back on that, I remember not being particularly bothered by her wearing it but rather why she was wearing it to work. The fact that she thought wearing those clothes into a professional environment was okay riled me up much more than the clothes themselves--particularly if I had to be uncomfortable in my stiff slacks and non-comfy shoes.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by christiangirl

I was having a hard time figuring out what was wrong with the costume because I didn't realize they were costumes. I did briefly wonder why he was grabbing onto that pregnant woman's butt, though. I'm there now.

In other words, even with the blackface, I would not know they are supposed to be Beyonce and Jay-Z.

[christiangirl]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

In other words, even with the blackface, I would not know they are supposed to be Beyonce and Jay-Z.

Blackface was a very specific type of theatrical makeup used for a specific purpose. I don't consider the above use of face/body paint to be an example of "blackface." But no, I still didn't know who they were supposed to be.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by christiangirl

Blackface was a very specific type of theatrical makeup used for a specific purpose. I don't consider the above use of face/body paint to be an example of "blackface."

The specific purpose was to depict Blackness and usually a parody of Blackness. Blackface was not only used by actors in stage performances and movies. It also did not and does not always look like this:



The people in that photo are darkening their skin to pretend to be something and someone they are not. In that sense, life is a stage and we are all actors. Sure, we can just call it "black or brown makeup on their face and/or bodies" but that still boils down to the same thing and the problems with it are rooted in the history of blackface.

*******

(This isn't for christiangirl) Wikipedia sometimes gets it right:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackface